How-To Geek

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We explain technology. Learn more with our articles, reviews, tips, and the best answers to your most pressing tech questions.
Updated: 42 min 22 sec ago

Windows Notepad is now a better Markdown text editor

Wed, 01/21/2026 - 22:21

Notepad was overhauled with a modern interface and new features alongside Windows 11, and Microsoft has continued updating it. Now, the text editor is getting even more Markdown editing features and a few other changes.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This German compact SUV offers surprisingly good value for money

Wed, 01/21/2026 - 21:30

German luxury compact SUVs are often associated with high price tags, but one particular model has quietly proven that premium doesn’t always mean pricey. This SUV delivers the refinement, comfort, and technology buyers expect from a German brand, yet it does so with a value proposition that surprises many shoppers who assume higher costs come with the badge. For those balancing luxury and sensible spending, it’s becoming one of the most attractive options in its segment.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This clever Android game turns your charging cable into a bow and arrow

Wed, 01/21/2026 - 21:05

We’ve all played mobile games that rely on tapping, swiping, and tilting, but what about plugging and unplugging your charging cable? As strange as it sounds, that’s exactly what a clever web developer created, and you can play it on your Android phone without downloading anything.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The RTX 5090 is now $5,800: 4 GPUs that are complete rip-offs

Wed, 01/21/2026 - 20:30

The graphics card market is a fickle beast. One year, it'll be teeming with options for every price range; the next, it'll be barren during a shortage. The ongoing RAM-pocalypse is definitely pushing us toward that latter state, but there are still GPUs left to buy—for now.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Google Drive is getting better protection from ransomware

Wed, 01/21/2026 - 20:13

Google is stepping up its security game for educational institutions by adding automated ransomware detection directly into Google Drive. This gives administrators and users a better defense against data loss and the threat of ransom payments. It also provides a safety net if an attack has already happened.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best thing about Galaxy XR was never announced

Wed, 01/21/2026 - 20:00

There are many reasons why Samsung Galaxy XR is the first VR headset I’ve actually wanted, but the best thing about it is something that neither Samsung nor Google felt the need to highlight. This is the most open, unrestricted headset on the market today—a device I can truly make my own.

Categories: IT General, Technology

My favorite thing about Home Assistant isn't the tech

Wed, 01/21/2026 - 19:00

Home Assistant is free, open-source smart home software that allows you to connect and control a huge number of smart home devices, regardless of their brand or ecosystem. It's a technological marvel, but my favorite thing about Home Assistant has nothing to do with the tech at all.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Saving files is currently broken on Windows 11 and Windows 10

Wed, 01/21/2026 - 18:09

Microsoft has confirmed that its latest Windows updates, released on January 13, 2026, are causing several applications to freeze when accessing files stored on cloud services like OneDrive and Dropbox. This is just one in a series of critical bugs discovered in the recent patch.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The greatest TV show of all time is not what you think

Wed, 01/21/2026 - 18:00

The greatest TV show of all time is a subject that's hotly debated. Several shows are regularly cited as being the best, but you're all wrong. The greatest TV show of all time is actually something else.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Raspberry Pi's USB gadget mode is now much less complicated

Wed, 01/21/2026 - 17:52

Raspberry Pi boards have supported USB gadget mode for years, allowing you to connect a Pi to a computer with one cable for power and SSH/desktop access. Now, there's a much easier way to try it out, and it's built into Raspberry Pi OS.

Categories: IT General, Technology

For the price of a new Corolla, you could get this hot hatch instead

Wed, 01/21/2026 - 17:30

If you’re budgeting for a new Toyota Corolla but crave something with a lot more excitement, the used market has a compelling alternative: an engaging hot hatch that delivers spirited performance without straying far from your price target. While compact sedans make sense for commuters, fun-to-drive cars often demand higher budgets, yet this used hatch blends practicality, performance, and value in a way that few new cars can match at the same price point.

Categories: IT General, Technology

WinGet is Windows' best-kept secret—here's what it can do for you

Wed, 01/21/2026 - 17:30

Have you ever wondered if there was an easier way to install and update apps on your Windows 11 machine? One of the best tools for doing so is the Windows Package Manager (WinGet), which ships with the operating system itself.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your SSD can fail at 100% Health: Here are the real warning signs

Wed, 01/21/2026 - 17:15

These days, SSDs are so durable that many people will never have to deal with SSD failure. But there's another side to that coin: when SSDs fail, they often do it quietly, and you may not notice until it's too late and your data's already lost.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Sony's weird new earbuds don't actually go in your ears

Wed, 01/21/2026 - 17:00

Sony led the charge for “open” earbuds with the weird donut-hole LinkBuds a few years ago, and we’ve seen more creative interpretations from other companies since. Now, Sony is borrowing a design from its competitors with the new LinkBuds Clip.

Categories: IT General, Technology

System76's COSMIC desktop environment just fixed a bunch of problems

Wed, 01/21/2026 - 16:58

System76 released version 1.0.3 of its fresh, Rust-based COSMIC desktop environment this week, bringing with it several fixes and improvements for Linux fans running it. In particular, the file browser is getting some essential features.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Cheaper YouTube TV plans are coming soon

Wed, 01/21/2026 - 16:51

YouTube TV is kicking off the new year with a couple of features that are long overdue. The first is a much-needed expansion of the excellent “Multiview” feature, and the second marks a return to the original promise of streaming live TV services.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Yahoo, AOL, and Yahoo Mail are all having outages right now

Wed, 01/21/2026 - 16:32

Do you still use email services like Yahoo! Mail and AOL? If so, they're probably not working, and you're not alone. Yahoo, Yahoo Mail, and AOL are all having a nationwide outage right now.

Categories: IT General, Technology

DeWALT 20V Max, XR, and ATOMIC tools: What's the difference?

Wed, 01/21/2026 - 16:30

DeWALT is a popular brand among enthusiasts and professionals thanks to its wide array of tools, with more arriving all the time. If you have a few DeWALT 20V tools and battery packs and go to buy another tool, you'll see models like the 20V MAX, XR, and Atomic—but what does that actually mean?

Categories: IT General, Technology

Please stop buying vinyl when CDs exist

Wed, 01/21/2026 - 16:00

Vinyl records are one of those nostalgic technologies that everyone loves, and they've recently seen a resurgence of popularity. However, if you're looking for quality—especially if you're using a modern amplifier—there is a cheaper, better option.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Replace your Microsoft 365 subscription with these 5 free open-source apps

Wed, 01/21/2026 - 15:30

Microsoft 365 is not the only suite around, and it doesn't have the best tools on the market. Yet, many professionals, students, and casual users are completely tied to it. However, before you commit to another payment cycle, it's smart to hit the brakes and seriously look at alternatives that are free, open source, and may work better.

Categories: IT General, Technology

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